This qualitative study used grounded theory to understand the influence of the Internal Family Systems ("IFS") model on psychotherapists\' spirituality and the way they address spirituality in their clinical practice.   Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten psychotherapists practicing IFS model and the data were analyzed using open, axial and selective coding.  Themes were organized around the two areas of inquiry in the study.  Limitations of this study as well as future research and clinical implications are also discussed. / Master of Science

Inledning: De psykoterapeutiska ramarna, samt brott mot dessa ramar, är av central betydelse för psykodynamiska terapeuter. Syftet: med denna studie var att undersöka psykoterapeuters rambegrepp, dess mening, samt deras upplevelser av egna rambrott. Frågeställningar: Frågeställningarna var vilken ramen och dess mening var, samt hur psykoterapeuterna upplevde sina egna rambrott. Metod: I studien användes kvalitativ metod och fem psykodynamiska terapeuter intervjuades. Data analyserades med tematisk analys. Resultat: Resultatet visade att deltagarnas rambegrepp skiljde sig åt. Skillnaderna härleddes dels från olika teoribildningar för psykoterapi, dels efter egna ställningstaganden. Vidare tillämpades något olika ramar för olika patienter.  Även psykoterapeuternas upplevelser av egna i studien redovisade rambrott uppvisade olikheter så som oro, skam, känsla av misslyckande och tillfredsställelse. Diskussion: Ramar samt avsteg från dessa intog en komplex roll i terapeuternas arbete. Ramar utformades av terapeuterna själva på grundval av terapeutisk inriktning. Brott mot dem kunde ske planerat eller spontant, orsakade sammansatta känsloreaktioner och kunde ge ett bättre eller sämre utfall för patienten. / Introduction: The psychotherapeutic frames, and breaking these frames, is of central significance to psychodynamic therapists. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychotherapist's concepts of frames, and experiences of personal frame breaks. Problem statement: The questions explored were which the frame and its meaning were, and how the psychotherapists experienced their own frame breaks. Methods: In the study, a qualitative method was used, and five psychodynamic therapists were interviewed. The material was analyzed by thematic analysis. Results: The results showed, that the concepts of frame were differing. The differences were derived partly from different theories of psychotherapy, partly from personal standpoints. Moreover, somewhat differing frames were used for different patients. The psychotherapists' experiences of their own frame breaks also showed differences, such as anxiety, shame, feelings of failure and satisfaction. Discussion: Frames and departures from them take a complex role in the therapists work. Frames are formed by the therapists themselves with their psychotherapeutic orientation as a cornerstone. Breaks to the frames can take place in a planned or unplanned way, cause compounded reactions of feelings and can bring better or worse result for the patient.